The other day I was searching Google Images for a picture or diagram for the Human Handcuffs activity/ puzzle (Almost Infinite Circle - Rohnke, Silver Bullets). Nearby to what I was looking for was a diagram that looked like the one here to the left. (I re-drew this one from the original I found. Click on it to make it bigger.)

I'm guessing this is an escape-like puzzle as well. I share it with Sam Sikes and he tells me he was able to detach himself from the solid object (in his case a steering wheel) unharmed. I have yet to try it out, but I will as soon as I can get myself to some rope!!

Those of you who are not sure about the process - here you go. Set up the rope around a solid object as shown (notice the lower loop in the picture goes over the bend). After the set up, put your hands into the loops - one hand per loop - and then try to detach yourself from the solid object without taking your hands out of the loops or untying the knots in the loops.

I love versatile props! If I could carry around one thing to use as a prop for planned or spontaneous team building (with a reasonably sized group) it would have to be a single tennis ball.

Here is a list of activities I have lead with a single tennis ball (in a relatively loose progression of challenge - less to more challenging). For some of these activities I have noted a useful resource so you can find out more about the activity. Activities I (sort of) made up, or could not put my hands on a source, I included a short description - open for adaptation and interpretation. So, here you go:

Toss-a-Name Game (Rohnke, Silver Bullets first edition, pg. 17, second edition, pg. 55). Simply toss the tennis ball around (nicely) calling out a persons names BEFORE you toss it to her/him. (Fun variations are included in both publications - I had fun revisiting the classic!!)

Around the Circle How fast can the tennis ball go around the circle - clockwise or counter-clockwise. The process involves handing-off the tennis ball in sequence - no tosses or throws involved. Each person in the group is required to receive and hand-off the tennis ball one time, and one time only.

Don't Touch Me!! (Rohnke, Quicksilver pg. 156. Sikes, Feeding the Zircon Gorilla, pg. 28). Circle up the group - hands on hips and move in to touch elbow-to-elbow. Place the tennis ball in the center of the circle. Challenge: Everyone moves to cross the circle, each person touching the tennis ball (careful movements) and then reform the elbow-to-elbow circle with everyone standing in a new place. Super-Challenge: Cross the circle without touching anyone else.

Group Juggle to Warp Speed (Rohnke, Silver Bullets, ed. 1, pg. 112, ed. 2 pg. 77. Variations in Rohnke's, FUNN 'N Games, pg. 159 & Quicksilver, pg. 201.) Basically, the group creates a "tossing order" where each person in the group tosses and catches the tennis ball one time (not tossing to the people right next to you). Then, the group is challenged to get the tennis ball through the "order" as fast as possible.

Index Movement Establish a starting and ending point for the activity - the longer it is, the longer it will take (resilience??). Place the tennis ball down at the starting point. Challenge the group to move the tennis ball to the ending point. Each player is only allowed to use one index finger to touch the tennis ball. If a player is touching the tennis ball, s/he is not allowed to move her/his feet. If the tennis ball drops, it is brought back for a re-start.

Frontloading & Processing Questions (ask and then hand the tennis ball around for responses):

How will we get things rolling today?

How can we get things rolling from here?

What are the qualities of a well-rounded group?

What is missing right now from our well-rounded group?

How will we put the bounce in our step today?

How do we get the bounce back in our step right now?

BONUS Activity:
I've also played SPUD with a tennis ball ("the right group at the right time"). The ball, from an underhanded toss, must bounce off the floor (or hit the ground) before it touches another player on the leg or foot. I've used this game as a nice warm-up to team building. I watch how people play and treat each other during competitive situations. And, of course, stop the game if it is not well played!! (Google SPUD if you're not sure about how to play.)

Do you have another idea for using one tennis ball? Please share in the comments!!

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Blog Author

Dr. Chris Cavert is an internationally known author, speaker, and trainer in the area of adventure-based activity programming and its relation to community and pro-social behavior development.

Blog Purpose

This blog is a space for hands-on programable fun - energetic activities and ideas that can be used as a means to bring people together; activities and ideas we as educators can add to our social development curriculums.